All posts by Danielle Potter Dague

Founded in 1974, the Long Beach Gray Panthers are celebrating their 45th year! Long Beach Gray Panthers focus on senior issues through education and advocacy, and invite supporters of all ages to participate in meetings and activities.

They will host the 2019 Senior Fest at the Long Beach Senior Center at 1150 East 4th Street from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, May 4. The event theme is “Seniors are Superheroes: Old and Bold,” sponsored by the Port of Long Beach and the Law Offices of Sandra Diaz. The event will feature local resources for seniors and their allies and caregivers of all ages. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume reflecting their superhero.

Myron Wollin, President of the Long Beach Gray Panthers states: “There are many changes coming to our community that will impact older adults. Climate change, changes in voting processes, new discoveries in extending the quality of senior lives, and being counted in the upcoming Census, and these are just a few of the topics that are meaningful to everyone, not only seniors. We want everyone to prepare for the future, as lives will depend upon it.”

The Senior Fest will celebrate the talents of local older adults, provide chances to win door prizes, offer free lunch, and opportunities to learn about the new voting system coming in 2020.

General Meetings of the Long Beach Gray Panthers are the first Saturday of the month at 10:30am at the 4th Street Senior Center at 1150 East 4th Street, Room 202. Meetings feature a speaker, lively discussion and information on issues impacting older adults in the community. The next meeting is June 1.

The mission of Long Beach Forward is to create a healthy Long Beach with low-income communities of color by building community knowledge, leadership, and power.

We asked Long Beach Forward team members Cynthia Howell, Strategic Initiatives Manager and Sevly Sngoun, Research and Policy Analyst the following questions:

Why is working within neighborhoods important?

“Our team works within neighborhoods because we recognize that place matters. When it comes to determining how long you will live, your zip code is more important than your genetic code. Where you live, work, play, and age shapes the economic opportunities available to you, your physical involvement, and what access you have to services.”

What is one thing you want people to know about LB Forward?

“The mission of Long Beach Forward is to create a healthy Long Beach with low-income communities of color by building community knowledge, leadership, and power, so that race and income do not determine one’s future.”

How can residents participate/volunteer?

“Long Beach Forward offers many opportunities to volunteer and contribute to our mission. For information on how to engage in our upcoming event, the People’s State of the City, please visit www.lbforward.org/lbrising. The People’s State of the City is one of the largest community-led gatherings in Long Beach that explores the challenges and opportunities for social change through art, music, and stories from the perspective of working people in the city.”